You have to be online to play offline with Steam?

I've been playing TF2 offline practice today and in the middle of the game it says some connection failed or something and the game is over. I am connected via WiFi but I shouldn't even have to be to play offline.

Once upon a time you had to at least play the game online once (must take a snapshot of the current system?). Not sure if that's the case any more but I've certainly played games whilst I've had no internet connection recently.

Staff Member

When I was in England I tried to play HL2 (which I've successfully played on my laptop in the past) and it wouldn't let me play it offline. People reckon it should work so I don't know why it didn't, but you might be having the same problem.

When I was in England I tried to play HL2 (which I've successfully played on my laptop in the past) and it wouldn't let me play it offline. People reckon it should work so I don't know why it didn't, but you might be having the same problem.

Click to expand...

Yeah sounds like the same problem. Could only be only Valve games but I doubt it.

I play Steam games (both Win and Mac) only offline and once set up there is no need to connect to play. Here is the word from Steam. Follow the setup and enjoy unlimited offline play.

Offline Mode
QUESTION
What is Steam's Offline Mode and how do I use it?
ANSWER
IMPORTANT:
The Steam client application's files must be updated to allow for the use of Offline Mode. If your game's status is "100% - Ready" but you receive the message "This game cannot be started in Offline Mode" when attempting to play offline, the Steam client application's files need to be updated.
Firewall settings preventing Steam from updating itself are the most common cause for this problem. Please see the Troubleshooting Network Connectivity topic for instructions to configure your network so Steam may update if you encounter any difficulties with Offline Mode.
WHAT IS OFFLINE MODE?
Offline Mode allows you to play games through Steam without reconnecting to the Steam Network every time you wish to play - this is particularly useful if you do not plan on playing over the internet and would prefer not to download new updates for your single-player games.
Please note that you must connect to the Steam Network and test each of the games you would like to use in Offline Mode at least once to set up your account and configure Offline Mode on your machine.
*
USING OFFLINE MODE ON A PC.
Please follow the instructions below to configure Offline Mode on your PC:
1. Start Steam online - make sure the Remember my password box on the login window is checked
2. Verify that all game files are completely updated - you can see the update status for a game under the Library*section (when the game shows as 100% - Ready it is ready to be played in Offline Mode)
3. Launch the game you would like to play offline to verify that there are no further updates to download - shut down the game and return to Steam once you have confirmed that the game can be played
4. Go to Steam > Settings to ensure the Don't save account credentials on this computer option is not selected
5. From the main Steam window, go to the*Steam menu and select Go Offline
6. Click Restart in Offline Mode to restart Steam in Offline Mode** *
USING OFFLINE MODE ON A MAC.
Please follow the instructions below to configure Offline Mode on your Mac:
1. Start Steam online - make sure the Remember my password box on the login window is checked
2. Verify that all game files are completely updated - you can see the update status for a game under the Library*section (when the game shows as 100% - Ready it is ready to be played in Offline Mode)
3. Launch the game you would like to play offline to verify that there are no further updates to download - shut down the game and return to Steam once you have confirmed that the game can be played
4. Go to Steam > Preferences to ensure the Don't save account credentials on this computer option is not selected
5. From the main Steam window, go to the*Account menu and select Go Offline
6. Click Restart in Offline Mode to continue.
*

I play Steam games (both Win and Mac) only offline and once set up there is no need to connect to play. Here is the word from Steam. Follow the setup and enjoy unlimited offline play.

Offline Mode
QUESTION
What is Steam's Offline Mode and how do I use it?
ANSWER
IMPORTANT:
The Steam client application's files must be updated to allow for the use of Offline Mode. If your game's status is "100% - Ready" but you receive the message "This game cannot be started in Offline Mode" when attempting to play offline, the Steam client application's files need to be updated.
Firewall settings preventing Steam from updating itself are the most common cause for this problem. Please see the Troubleshooting Network Connectivity topic for instructions to configure your network so Steam may update if you encounter any difficulties with Offline Mode.
WHAT IS OFFLINE MODE?
Offline Mode allows you to play games through Steam without reconnecting to the Steam Network every time you wish to play - this is particularly useful if you do not plan on playing over the internet and would prefer not to download new updates for your single-player games.
Please note that you must connect to the Steam Network and test each of the games you would like to use in Offline Mode at least once to set up your account and configure Offline Mode on your machine.
*
USING OFFLINE MODE ON A PC.
Please follow the instructions below to configure Offline Mode on your PC:
1. Start Steam online - make sure the Remember my password box on the login window is checked
2. Verify that all game files are completely updated - you can see the update status for a game under the Library*section (when the game shows as 100% - Ready it is ready to be played in Offline Mode)
3. Launch the game you would like to play offline to verify that there are no further updates to download - shut down the game and return to Steam once you have confirmed that the game can be played
4. Go to Steam > Settings to ensure the Don't save account credentials on this computer option is not selected
5. From the main Steam window, go to the*Steam menu and select Go Offline
6. Click Restart in Offline Mode to restart Steam in Offline Mode** *
USING OFFLINE MODE ON A MAC.
Please follow the instructions below to configure Offline Mode on your Mac:
1. Start Steam online - make sure the Remember my password box on the login window is checked
2. Verify that all game files are completely updated - you can see the update status for a game under the Library*section (when the game shows as 100% - Ready it is ready to be played in Offline Mode)
3. Launch the game you would like to play offline to verify that there are no further updates to download - shut down the game and return to Steam once you have confirmed that the game can be played
4. Go to Steam > Preferences to ensure the Don't save account credentials on this computer option is not selected
5. From the main Steam window, go to the*Account menu and select Go Offline
6. Click Restart in Offline Mode to continue.
*

Click to expand...

So you have to be online to enable offline mode? I guess you gotta plan ahead.
Thanks BTW

So you have to be online to enable offline mode? I guess you gotta plan ahead.
Thanks BTW

Click to expand...

You set it up like the instructions tell you and then select play offline then quit Steam. You can then play offline and later whenever you start Windows a box will appear asking you to choose to activate Steam either online or offline. You do not have to go online unless you want to do something else with Steam.

I just played Half Life 2 with the 2 episodes and never accessed Steam online
after the initial download and offline setup.

This is not at all complicated as there is a misconception that you have to be online at some time during post setup play.

When I was in England I tried to play HL2 (which I've successfully played on my laptop in the past) and it wouldn't let me play it offline. People reckon it should work so I don't know why it didn't, but you might be having the same problem.

Click to expand...

I have been able to play HL2 offline and online in the past but then it wouldn't let me also, so you aren't alone, unfortunately (It ended up being a boring 10 hr train ride)

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